What also is not discussed here is that as a buyer you can be unrepresented and essentially represent yourself. However it is unlikely that the listing BROKER will want to risk doing the transaction with you. If I were to list a home and a buyer came and was not represented I would not take the risk. As an agent there is way to much liability when you are working with an unrepresented party on the other side. Many people here wonder why the documentation process in real estate is so bulky now and it is simply because of lawsuits. Whenever I take a listing I tell the seller up front that the buyer must be represented. Not even a question nor is a few thousand bucks commission worth that sort of liability risk. My advice for the original poster is to approach the listing agent and work directly with them and try to squeeze him for some bucks or find a realtor who will rebate you some commission back as there are plenty out there who will.
